Fiat Trattori S.p.A., was a Fiat Group subsidiary founded in 1919 and specialized in the manufacturing of agricultural equipment, particularly tractors. Throughout its decades-long history, it established itself as one of Italy’s leading construction companies and one of Europe’s largest construction equipment manufacturers. In 1991, it adopted the name New Holland after acquiring Ford-New Holland with the aim of enhancing its global market presence. In 1999, New Holland acquired Case Corporation to form CNH Global. Fiat Industrial was the majority shareholder until 2013 when the two companies merged to create CNH Industrial.

 

The history of Fiat Trattori began in 1918 when it introduced its first tractor, the Fiat 702, with 30 horsepower (22 kW). The 702 model was followed by variants like 702A, B, and BN, and later by 703B and 703BN. With these variants in production until 1925, Fiat Trattori reached a significant milestone of 2,000 units.

 

In 1929, the factory was selling over 1,000 tractors per year.

 

In 1932, Fiat introduced Europe’s first tracked tractor, the Fiat 700C. The tractor production was also transferred from Turin to Modena, where Officine Costruzioni Industriali (OCI) was established. The first tractor produced at the new facility was the 702C, which had 28 hp (21 kW), significantly lighter than its predecessor, which had 35 (26). This tractor remained in production until 1950, with a total production of 4,000 units.

 

Fiat produced the Fiat 700C tracked tractor at the Modena factory, which had impressive traction capabilities thanks to its tracks that prevented it from sinking into wet ground.

 

In 1933, Fiat acquired Società Anonima Officine Meccaniche (OM), a company that produced both industrial vehicles and tractors.

 

In 1939, the Modena factory released the first mass-produced tractor, the Fiat 40 Boghetto. This tractor, thanks to an invention by Fortunato Boghetto, could operate with various fuels, including diesel, kerosene, alcohol, gasoline, natural gas, and producer gas.

 

In 1944, production at the Modena factory was halted due to a shortage of raw materials and the German occupation, leading to the conversion of the facility for the repair and overhaul of military vehicles. Within this context, Chief Design Engineer Edmondo Tascheri, with the help of some workers, began working on a new tracked tractor design that would be more modern than the no-longer-used Series 40 Boghetto. With the assistance of collaborators turning a blind eye, the Technical Department started building a secret prototype without the knowledge of German controllers. The resulting Fiat 50 tracked tractor, produced from 1946 onwards after World War II, was manufactured thanks in part to the rescue of machine tools that German occupiers had attempted to send to Germany before Allied bombing raids prevented their shipment.

 

In the post-war years, in 1949, the OCI factory in Modena began production of Fiat 600 and tracked Fiat 601, which used levers instead of a steering wheel. These tractors saw a rapid increase in sales, with an annual production of 1,832 vehicles.

 

In the early 1950s, Fiat formed an alliance with the French company SIMCA. This collaboration led to the production of Fiat cars and subsequently tractors based on Fiat designs.

 

The release of the Fiat 25R in 1951 became one of the most significant machines in Fiat’s history. This innovative tractor, the first in a long tractor series that would extend until 1983, helped Fiat enter the European agricultural market. It was produced in numerous models, including diesel, wheeled or tracked, narrow or industrial versions, and versions for orchards and forestry. Approximately 45,000 of these remarkable machines were introduced to the market.

 

The following year, high-powered OM tractors were launched. The OM 35-40 model, with its tracked version, became the best-selling among them.

 

Replacing the old Fiat 50 models, the Fiat 60 tracked tractor was introduced in 1956, establishing Fiat as a leading manufacturer of tracked tractors worldwide.

 

In 1957, Fiat launched the “small” FIAT 18, which became the best-selling tractor of the 1950s.

 

In 1959, the successor to the Series 18, the Series 200, was introduced and produced until 1965. The 211 R model was equipped with a 1135 cc, two-cylinder Fiat 615 diesel engine, producing 21 hp (16 kW) of power at 2200 rpm. The 211 Rb model featured a 1221 cc, four-cylinder Fiat 103 gasoline engine, delivering 22 hp (16 kW) of power at 2300 rpm. This tractor, with its gearbox offering six forward and two reverse speeds, a maximum speed of 20 km/h (12 mph), and a total weight of only 900 kg (2,000 lb), was suitable for work in small fields.

 

In 1957, Fiat’s tractor production exceeded 100,000 units. The following year, the launch of the Fiat 411 tractor marked 1962 as a year that solidified the Italian manufacturer’s position in Europe with the introduction of the new “Diamante series.” This series included the 215, 315, 415, and 615 models, along with the OM-branded 715 model. These models featured synchronized speeds, a differential lock, and the first tractors with an AMPLICUPLE device that engaged automatically via a lever on the driver’s left side. These features were only available in the 415, 615, and 715 models, permanently establishing Fiat’s position in Europe.

 

In the early 1960s, Fiat, under the OM brand, produced various models such as the OM 512, OM 513, and OM 615 in different variants. In the 1970s, these were followed by the OM 750 and OM 850 models.

 

In 1967, the “Nastro d’Oro” (Golden Ribbon) series was expected to bring long-term success to the Italian company, thanks to its technology, performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability, making it a major player in the European agricultural market.

 

In 1968, Fiat introduced models under the OM brand, including the 250, 450, 550, 650, and 850 models, and later, the 1000 and 1300 (Fiat). With these models, Fiat aimed to capture the European market. About a decade later, with the Series 80, Fiat rose to leadership in Europe.

 

In the early 1970s, changes were made to the product range. The 250 model became the 300 model, the special 350 was introduced, and the 480 and 500 models replaced the 450 model before becoming the 540 Special. Additionally, in the 1970s, the Fiat 850 was upgraded to the Fiat 850 Super, increasing its power to 95 hp (71 kW). Similarly, the Fiat 1000 was upgraded to 110 hp (82 kW) and received the “super” treatment. The Super 1300, with 150 hp (110 kW), marked another significant power boost.

 

In 1975, Fiat Trattori acquired a 20% stake in Laverda S.p.A., a company specialized in combine harvesters since its establishment in 1873, led by Pietro Laverda. In the mid-1970s, Fiat introduced the Fiat 580, Fiat 680, Fiat 780, Fiat 880, Fiat 8805 (five-cylinder), Fiat 980, Fiat 1180, Fiat 1280, and Fiat 1380 models, along with the Fiat 80 series. The Fiat 1580 and the top-tier Fiat 1880 were notable models. These tractors were the first in the world to feature a platform mounted on silent blocks and a cabin designed in a similar style to the tractor, a design crafted by Pininfarina. In 1976, Fiat Trattori’s production exceeded 86,000 tractors, with at least 50,000 units exported, compared to 15,488 tractors in 1955.

 

Towards the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fiat imported a range of low-cost models produced in Argentina under the Fiat Concord brand to Italy. These models included the 500, 650, 600E/E DT/F, 700E, 800, 900E, 1100E, and 1100E Dt.

 

As mechanization became more widespread, some agricultural machines began to be used in the construction sector as well. The tractors used in farming, such as the 70C, 80C, 90C, and 100C models, were modified with only a few structural changes to become tracked loaders, including the AD3, AD4, AD5, AD6, AD7, AD9, AD1O, AD12, AD14, AD18, and AD20 models. In 1974, Fiat formed a partnership with the American Allis-Chalmers company to create Fiat-Allis, aiming to produce tracked machines, wheeled backhoe loaders (in the US and the UK), excavators (in Italy and the UK), and graders and dozers (in the US).

 

In the mid-1990s, Fiat partnered with Hitachi to produce construction equipment under the name Fiat-Hitachi. Fiat-Allis continued to sell its products under its own brand in Latin America.

 

From 1979 to 1983, Fiat produced high-powered tractors as part of an agreement with the American company Versatile. This led to the creation of the “Fiat-Versatile 44 Series,” which included the 44-23, 44-28, 44-33, 44-35, 230 (170), 280 (210), 330 (250), and 350 hp (260 kW) tractors. These tractors were sold under the Fiat brand in Europe and as Versatile in the US, Mexico, and Australia.

 

In 1977, Fiat’s tractor production exceeded 1,200,000 units.

 

In 1981, Fiat acquired Laverda S.p.A. and began producing combine harvesters for Fiat Trattori.

 

In 1982, Fiat introduced the “66 Series,” which featured models ranging from 45 to 80 hp (34 to 60 kW) and were known as “daily” tractors because they could perform various daily tasks on small to medium-sized farms. This series was also sold in the US under the Hesston brand, and later under the Ford and New Holland names until 2003.

 

In 1977, Fiat acquired Hesston, a leading company in hay equipment, Braud, a prominent grape harvester manufacturer, and Agrifull, an Italian specialist in small-sized tractors. Fiat Trattori became FiatAgri, changing the external appearance of all new tractors from orange to burgundy. With the acquisitions of Hesston and Braud, FiatAgri expanded its production to include hay machinery (bale machines, forage harvesters) and grape harvesting equipment. The Hesston and Braud logos continued to be visible on the sides of agricultural machines.

 

Fiat Trattori was set to disappear, making way for the Modena-based FIATGEOTECH holding company, which owned FIATAGRI group and Fiatallis.

 

In 1984, FiatAgri introduced the historic “90 Series,” replacing the 80 series, with a wide range of models divided into two categories: medium-low (55-90, 60-90, 65-90, 70-90, 80-90, 85-90 Turbo) and high-powered (115-90, 130-90 Turbo, 140-90 Turbo, 160-90 Turbo, 180-90 Turbo), all driven by the new Fiat-Iveco 8000 Series power units. The 90 series was also sold in Europe under the Agrifull and Ford names and later as New Holland until 2003. In 1984, FiatAgri acquired the French company Braud.

 

Starting in 1985, the company also produced the “bridge” series, known as the 90 series, alongside models like the 90-90, 100-90, and 110-90. These tractors were produced until 1996 when they were replaced by the new L series under the New Holland brand.

 

In 1986, FiatAgri transferred a portion of tractor production from Modena to Jesi. In the same year, the company introduced the FiatAgri 180-55 tracked tractor with a groundbreaking hydrostatic transmission system.

 

In 1990/91, the company launched the first “Winner series” consisting of four models: F100, F110, F120, and F130 Turbo. The second series, introduced in 1993, included F100 and F115 models along with two turbo models, F130 and F140. These series remained in production until 1996.

 

In 1992, a new steering system called “Direksiyon-o-matik” replaced steering clutches on the 75 series tracked tractors.

 

Following the Winner series, FiatAgri introduced the “G” models designed for large fields and extensive land cultivation applications, as well as the M Series featuring M100, 115, 135, and 160 models. The “G” series was part of the product lineup of North American company Versatile, which had already been collaborating with Fiat on large-sized machinery under the Fiat and Hesston brands. The G series was presented at the “Fiera del Levante” fair in Bari in 1993 and featured a design similar to Ford-New Holland machines, with the Fiat Agri logo appearing in blue instead of red. A few months later, FiatAgri S.p.A. acquired Ford-New Holland, which had purchased a combine harvester and forage equipment specialist a few years earlier, known as New Holland Inc.

 

In 1993, the holding company changed its name from FIATGEOTCH to NHGEOTECH. However, the machines were still sold under their respective brands and appearances, including FiatAgri, Ford-New Holland, Hesston, Braud, Laverda, and more.

 

In 1999, the FiatAgri and Ford-New Holland brands, along with several smaller brands, disappeared altogether, leaving only the New Holland brand to carry on. However, the legacies of the three brands were not forgotten, with FiatAgri remembered by its leaf symbol, Ford-New Holland by its blue appearance, and New Holland by its name.